Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that acknowledges the victory of the Mexican army over the French army on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla. Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín, the poorly equipped Mexican army made a stand against French forces near the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe.

The Mexican victory provided encouragement to the Mexican army and became a source of pride for the Mexican people. Despite being outnumbered by the French, who had about 8,000 men to the Mexicans’ 4,000, the Mexican army destroyed a French army that was considered the best in the world at the time and had not been defeated in nearly 50 years.

Although the victory was short-lived, the French would capture Mexico City and take over the country within a year – it represented a moral victory for the Mexican government.

Today, Cinco de Mayo is mainly celebrated only in the state of Puebla.Nowadays, people of all backgrounds celebrate the holiday with parades, parties, and traditional Mexican music, dancing, and foods.

Join us at El Sabor by El Cielo to celebrate on Cinco de Mayo – 500 Victoria Street, North Melbourne, VIC.